The Bee-eating Philanthus 



how and therefore ineffectively. If the one 

 has learnt by prolonged practice in attack, 

 the other should also have learnt by pro- 

 longed practice in defence, for attack and 

 defence possess a like merit in the fight for 

 life. Among the theorists of the day, is 

 there one clear-sighted enough to solve the 

 riddle for us? 



If so, I will take the opportunity of put- 

 ting to him a second problem that puzzles 

 me : the carelessness, nay, more, the stupidity 

 of the Bee in the presence of the Philanthus. 

 You would be inclined to think that the vic- 

 tim of persecution, learning gradually from 

 the misfortunes suffered by her family, 

 would show distress at the ravisher's ap- 

 proach and at least attempt to escape. In 

 my cages I see nothing of the sort. Once 

 the first excitement due to incarceration un- 

 der the bell-glass or the wire-gauze cover has 

 passed, the Bee seems hardly to trouble about 

 her formidable neighbour. I see one side 

 by side with the Philanthus on the same 

 honeyed thistle-head : assassin and future vic- 

 tim are drinking from the same flask. I see 

 some one who comes heedlessly to enquire 

 who that stranger can be, crouching in wait 

 on the table. When the spoiler makes her 

 rush, it is usually at a Bee who meets her 

 255 



